Martha Rendell

Martha Rendell (10 August 1871 – 6 October 1909) was the last woman to be hanged in Western Australia, for the wilful murder of her de facto husband's son, Arthur Morris, in 1908. She was also suspected of killing his two daughters, Annie and Olive, by swabbing their throats with hydrochloric acid. Although the children died slow and agonizing deaths, they had been treated by a number of doctors during their illnesses, only one of whom expressed any doubts about their deaths.

Beginnings Martha Rendell moved in with Thomas Nicholls Morris at 23 Robertson Street, East Perth after he had separated from his wife, who had moved out. Morris had custody of his four children at the time. Rendell, who had known Morris in Adelaide, South Australia, and had followed him west, moved into the house and posed as his wife. The children were told to call her "Mother".

Rendell brutally abused Morris's children, once beating Annie so savagely that she could not walk. Arresting officer Inspector Harry Mann said "she delighted in seeing her victims writhe in agony, and from it derived sexual satisfaction".

Crimes committed Rendell killed nine-year-old Annie first. Her method was to put something in the child's food that would result in a sore throat. It was alleged that she killed the children by swabbing hydrochloric acid on the backs of their throats, claiming it was medicine. This would inflame the throat until the child could no longer eat and thus would starve to death. Annie died on 28 July 1907. Dr. Cuthbert issued a certificate stating the cause of death was diphtheria. After killing Annie, she turned her attention to Olive, aged 7. Olive died on 16 October 1907, and once more, Cuthbert issued a certificate stating the cause of death was diphtheria.

In the winter of 1908, Rendell tried the same method on Arthur, age 15, who took longer to succumb to the treatment, finally dying on 8 October 1908, just a year short of Olive's death. This time, Cuthbert asked permission for an autopsy. Rendell said she wanted to be present during the investigation and stood by as the autopsy was performed; the doctors found nothing to incriminate her. Neither accused called evidence in their defence.

On 14 September 1909, Rendell was found guilty by the jury and sentenced to death by hanging. Thomas Morris was acquitted, She was hanged at Fremantle Prison at 8 am on 6 October 1909. She is buried at Fremantle Cemetery. Martha Rendell was the third and last woman executed in Western Australia.

An illusion appears on one of the prison windows which can only be seen on the outside of the window; when inside the church looking out the glass is smooth and even, with no unusual shape or texture. An example of pareidolia, urban legend has it that this illusion is the portrait of Rendell, who watches over the prison.